I hate to ask this, but..... - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**guineapigluver1** · #1 09-27-09, 03:09 pm

Would it be better to feed a middle grade canned food than a top of the line dry food?
We were going to switch to raw, as that would keep the cost down, but it is more expensive to begin with and we just can't do that right now. It is getting way to expensive to feed just canned food from Wellness. But I hate to feed them dry Wellness (which is what we have been doing for the past month, only feeding canned food once a day), knowing what it does. What brands would you consider middle grade?

Another question:
We have to leave food out for Penny 24/7. She has FIV and is very scrawny and even underweight by a pound or two. Has been ever since we got her. I cannot get her on three meals a day. I have been trying for the past two or three months. She just can't seem to eat very much at once. She eats about 8 times a day and small amounts.
Now the problem. Rocky eats too much. He is overweight by probably a pound and is constantly begging for food when it is gone (note that we don't give it to him every time he wants it). I don't see what I can do, since we have to leave it out for Penny.
Princess is fine and dandy. Only eats three times a day and is a perfect weight.

Also, Penny refuses to drink from anything except for a running faucet and sometimes a human cup. Not sure what is up with that?

**vicky2** · #2 09-27-09, 03:18 pm

Here is a link regarding food:Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble
I believe there is a cat section on that site...

And with the drinking water, they make pet fountains. A lot of pets refuse to drink still water so those drinking fountains are a great alternative.

**Paula** · #3 09-27-09, 03:53 pm

Merrick and California Naturals are good brands. I don't know that they would be any cheaper, though.

This is a good site with info on cat food brands, both canned and dry. Cat Food Reviews

**Ash-Ro060708** · #4 09-27-09, 03:54 pm

About the only drinking running water, have you tried a pet fountain?
I have the Cat-it drinking fountain for my 3 cats and indoor dog, they all love it!
(Can I put this link?)
catit Drinking Fountain

**guineapigluver1** · #5 09-28-09, 10:02 am

Thank you, everyone. I will definitely mention getting a pet fountain to my parents.
I'll do some research on those food review websites.

Has anyone ever heard of Harmony Farm's?

**ferndalezoo** · #6 10-02-09, 12:57 pm

If a cat is not drinking much, canned cat food is a BETTER choice than dry. It might be tricky though, with the other cat to consider.

**BabyBellie** · #7 10-02-09, 02:28 pm

A decent middle brand food is Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul. It tends to be about half the price of the other ones. I work at a pet valu and my boss is pretty serious about offering good foods. This is the food I suggest when people can't spend too much. I feed this myself and have had no ill effects. It comes in dry and canned.

Also my cat does the same thing about drinking only running water. The fountains have worked for him.

**guineapigluver1** · #8 10-02-09, 03:32 pm

I will look into the Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul.
Definitely will be buying a Drinkwell 360 soon.

For those wondering why we are adopting a dog when we have to cut costs on the cats' food; Technically speaking it is my sisters dog. She still lives at home and has a job and wants to adopt a dog. But it would be everyone's dog as in playing and feeding etc.